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And Brave Wolf’s word was final.
Mary Beth had not asked Brave Wolf why one of his warriors would not want Night Horse taken home. He had suddenly volunteered that information after his warrior had fallen back to ride with the others.
As he had told her about a brother who had allied himself with white cavalrymen, she had been more aware than ever of Brave Wolf’s true goodness.
Seeing the bitterness in so many of the Crow people’s eyes, she knew that most did not forgive Night Horse. But she guessed they would tolerate him for the sake of one person: Brave Wolf’s mother. Everyone understood the importance of his mother making peace with Night Horse, before she, or he, died.
Yes, Mary Beth knew the depths of love a mother felt for her son. Hers was so deep, she again felt a tearing at her heart when she thought of David and what he might be going through at the hands of his captors.
She brushed that fear from her mind as best she could and focused on the present. She gazed past the people and saw how large the village was. It was so large a settlement, she could not see where it began or ended.
Mary Beth again gazed into the crowd, noting especially the appearance of the women. Most were very attractive. She admired the porcupine-quill embroidery work on the women’s doeskin dresses, and their black hair which hung in long braids down their backs. Their skin was as light as Brave Wolf’s, and as smooth.
At that moment a warrior approached Brave Wolf to tell him that Two Tails’s parents were in mourning and would not be among those who welcomed him home. His friend had been buried yesterday on top of a rocky bluff and covered with poles and rocks, with all the rites of a favored warrior.
Mary Beth could see the pain in Brave Wolf’s eyes as he was told about the mourning and burial. She felt a pang of guilt, for if Brave Wolf had not taken the time to save her, putting himself and his warriors in danger while doing so, Two Tails would now be alive.
She shook off her guilt and sad memories and looked over at Brave Wolf. She knew he mourned his friend’s passing, but for now his first priority must be getting his brother help.
Night Horse was terribly ill. When she had heard the rattling in his lungs, she remembered another time when she had heard that same sound just prior to someone’s death. Her grandmother. Yes, shortly after Mary Beth had heard those strange rattling sounds in her grandmother’s lungs, she had died.
She glanced over at Brave Wolf. She knew there was a problem between him and his brother. Though she had seen him gather his brother in his arms when he first found him, she knew that was because of the childhood they’d shared.
The man on the travois was vastly different from that young brave who grew up with his brother Brave Wolf.
She knew that Brave Wolf’s concern for his mother was the main reason he had searched for Night Horse and reunited him with those he had turned his back on. Yet she could tell by the way he gazed at his brother when no one else but she caught him looking, there was much feeling left in his heart for his brother.
But could he ever truly forgive him? She did not think that he would have time to decide, for she believed Night Horse would be dead before another sun rose in the heavens.
“Mary Beth, we are almost at my mother’s lodge,” Brave Wolf said, interrupting her thoughts. “I believe it is best that you stay with me, since my people do not yet understand your presence among them.”
Fear overwhelmed her at his words, for she understood that she might not be safe until his people knew more about her.
She swallowed hard, looked over her shoulder at the women, and then the men, and was glad that they no longer seemed to notice her, but instead focused their attention on the travois and the man lying upon it.
“Yes, Brave Wolf, I would be much more comfortable if I could stay with you,” Mary Beth blurted out.
Then she hurriedly said, “I hope your mother is alright.”
“My mother’s will to live is strong, especially since she has peace to make with her younger son,” Brave Wolf said stiffly. “If not for her, I . . .”
Mary Beth understood why he didn’t finish what he was about to say. She saw a thin, very frail elderly woman being led from the tepee, flanked by two warriors who helped her, their muscled arms around her waist.
Mary Beth was reminded again of her grandmother. This woman, too, was at the end of her life. That truth was evident in her dark eyes and the thinness of her face and arms, and how she seemed to struggle with each step because of her weakness.
The sight made tears come to Mary Beth’s eyes, for her grandmother had withered away almost to nothingness and had been buried only two years ago.
“Ina,” Brave Wolf said, suddenly stopping and leaping from his saddle. He went to Pure Heart and swept her into his arms as the two warriors stepped away from her.
He hugged her, then held her at arm’s length as he explained things to her. Then he led her onward until they came to the travois.
Mary Beth scarcely breathed as she awaited the reaction of the elderly Crow woman.
She grimaced as she watched the woman struggle and groan as she bent to her knees beside the travois.
And then the strength of a mother’s love was obvious as she swept Night Horse into her arms, her voice awakening him.
His arms twined around her.
